Featured Friday – Fabuliciousfifty

Hello and welcome to this weeks featured Friday. Today we are featuring the glamorous Kerry Manning Colson aka fabuliciousfifty. This Galway based health and wellness blogger not to mention creative spirit, is one inspiring and kind-hearted lady. She is also a business coach and speaker – I know, her talents are endless! I absolutely love her approach and outlook on life even whilst bravely battling many a chronic illness. Talk about taking the bull by the horns and living life the very best she can. It seems no obstacle is too great for this woman to climb. She is one kick ass lady and has really taught me that despite my illness I can still go on and achieve wonderful things.

The fabulicious Kerry

Please introduce yourself? Do you blog, if so please tell us about it?

Hi my name is Kerry and I have a blog called fabuliciousfifty. As the name suggests I am aged in my fifties, 52 to be exact. I have learnt no matter how hard you try in life, it can really hit you with some curveballs. The reason I started blogging is to show others that they can be fabulous despite these said curveballs. I guess I am referring to living life when you are that little bit older and dealing with the pain and other health issues that may your way. Most importantly I am all about positivity and getting the best out of life.

Do you personally or does someone close to you suffer with a physical and/or mental illness?

I myself suffer with a number of physical illnesses and have also suffered with depression for many years. I have a number of auto-immune conditions including arthritis, diabetes, a weird blood disease called pernicious anaemia, hashimoto’s thyroiditis and asthma. I also suffer with fibromyalgia. Unfortunately this combination of ailments results in pain being my constant companion. Despite all of this I still believe I can live a positive and fulfilling life, although perhaps not quite at warp speed.

What has illness taught you?

It has taught me a vast array of skills including most notably patience and compassion. Most importantly it has taught me the importance of taking each moment of every day and truly treasuring it, like a precious gem. Unfortunately we do not know what life has in store for us but the key to living is being the best we can possibly be at any given moment.

I have also learned that there are some truly amazing people in this world. I am extremely lucky and grateful to have such a wonderful supportive partner, a great family and some really good friends who are always there for me.

Please tell us something not a lot of people would know about you?

I have heterochromia which simply means I have two different coloured eyes! One eye is blue and the other is green. I am also a omnivert (a cross between an introvert and an extrovert). I have always considered myself outgoing and I think most people who know me would say the same. However, I feel extremely overwhelmed and disoriented by large groups of people, loud noises and bright lights. I need a lot of quiet me time to be really happy.

This self-confessed omnivert has an adventurous streak

Who inspires you and why?

My son, he is an amazing young man who has been setting himself goals and completely smashing them ever since his teenage years. He is now aged 21 and attending college. One such achievement that springs to mind was an announcement he made over lunch a few years back. He announced that he had written many thousands of words (I can’t remember how many, but enough to write a book). I had been talking about writing a book for many years. He simply committed to writing every day and then did it. I have a lot to learn from him!

Where is your favourite place in the world?

I have a few, sitting drinking tea and chatting with a good friend (any one of the many I am honoured to have), walking in the woods or on the beach. I do love Gurteen Bay at Roundstone in County Galway – I am overdue a visit.

Outside of blogging what do you like to do with your free time?

I am an artist and crafter and am extremely happy when I have a paintbrush in my hand. I also teach craft classes and enjoy seeing others getting into the flow of things and finding their creative space.

If you could sum up your life in one quote what would it be?

Always wear your invisible crown! I read this quote a few years ago and it immediately resonated with me. No matter what happens to you in life, always believe that you are important, special, unique and deserve to wear a crown.